[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]
Monday 27th the rain is over the sun is out & it is very cold to day–No mail this
morning–I shall be quite busy this week—My tooth ache not allowing me to [?]
the last–Heard to night Mrs Averum[?] Burr has a Son. Married the 12th day of May
MSS 6960
[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow project]
MSS 38-258
[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]
The children woke me very early
I felt cross at being disturbed & got
up & made the fire & spoke rather crossly to
Margaret when she came in for never dressing
in time to make my fires=I am obliged
to do it every morning as it is too cold
for the children to get up without it–she is
perfectly amiable however & seems to think
it is as much my place as hers so I presume
she will not improve=so much for white
servants
Was interrupted whilst reading–Have
not enjoyed the day=Have not thought
about God & of holy things as much as
I would like to do=was cold in
prayer-not inclined to devotion
Oh God, forgive me my sins of this
day & enable me to be better tomorrow-
especially give me the holy spirit in the
morning to prepare me for the trials of
he day=Oh, God: be merciful unto
me. keep me in the right way, & bless me
in all my undertakings–guide me, & govern
me always, in teaching my children & let
me show them, by my example, how
to be a living Christian. Oh God increase
my faith–strengthen me for Jesus’ sake.
MSS 15406
[from the diary of William M. Blackford, bank officer and former diplomat with five sons in the Confederate Army]
Wednesday 27 Delightful day–Jack did
not return until lately and I had his
“running” to do which wearied m
–very laborious time in Bank–nothing
new or interesting — Went in the evening
to Charles–Macon is becoming indis
posed and I fear will be sick–read
& heard read the conclusion of [?]
[?] of great carelessness of style
-even to violation of grammar
MSS 4763
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Sunday
Oct 26
Rainy to-day so we did not have an inspection
Read the Bible this forenoon. Wrote a long letter
home this afternoon and evening. Have had a pretty quiet
Sunday. Pollard commenced reading the Bible Sundays.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of John Ward of the 102nd Pennsylvania]
Oct 26th Sunday
The is verey Reney to
Day it comince 3 A.M.
Whe was still at mill
Stone Point Money Mareyland
Sent home the Rect
For Nancy
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12913
Richmond 26th Oct. 1862.
My dearest wife,
I wrote you a few
hurried lines the day after I got here
to let you know of our safe arrival
& that I was doing very well. I dined
yesterday with Mr. McFarland in his
usual luxurious style of fine viands & fine
wines, notwithstanding the hard times.
I am, nevertheless, quite well. It has
been a very agreeable relief to me
to take a quiet Sunday dinner with
Mr Macmurdo & his family to-day. We
went to church, where, as the weather
was rainy, we had a very thin congrega-
-tion. the President & Mrs. Davis were
both there. The latter lingered, appa-
-rently to speak to me, & was very gra-
-cious & kind. I must, therefore, call
to pay my respects at the great House–
I yesterday saw Mr. Heath. He seems
to be in feeble health, & demoralism. It
is evident he has made up his mind
to nothing but to occupy his own
house this winter. I set Will’s
[page 2]
house before him in the most
attractive lights, but it seemed to
make no impression.–Nobody
knows what Mr. Cary is going
to do with his house.–I shall
to-morrow go, & see Miss Agnes
Nicholas, & look into the prospects
for us there this winter.–
My pen & ink are so
impracticable that I am
compelled to “rein in my muse,”
who might have been other-
-wise very garrulous. I hope
to return to you, my dearest,
on Wednesday or Thursday, and,
in the mean time, with best
love to Ella, Sadie & Miss Mag,
remain most tenderly yours
W C Rives
Mrs Rives
Castle-Hill
William Cabell Rives, 1793-1868, U. S. Congressman, Senator, and minister to France, to his wife Judith page Walker Rives, 1802-1882.
MSS 2313
[a later transcript of a letter found in the papers of the McCauley family; original not present]
Bunker Hill Oct 26, 1862
Friend Billy (probably William McCauley)
I saw Dr. Graham as soon as I reached the regiment, at least as soon as he came to us, and asked him about your case–he said he recollected something about it, but not sufficient to grant a discharge–would wait until you come to the Regt. & the probability is that you could not get it then as the Dr’s have received very strict orders in regard to discharges & if a soldier is able for any duty whatever at Hospital they will not grant them. All able-bodied men are being called in to their companies and their places filled with the more delicate class. Dr. Graham expressed himself thus, ‘If he will die in a week he can get a discharge’ (in regard to Joe Bott) perhaps you know what is best for you but were I in your place I wold most assuredly stay at home if possible all the winter. I tell you, Billy, its getting like it used to be at Green Briar Bridge. You ought to see us all huddled together in our summer tents meditating. It makes me feel like I would like to be at some pleasant fireside talking to my sweetheart
for instance.
Your friend,
R. B. Edington
Robert B. Edington, Joseph W. Bott, and William McCauley were all members of Co. E. 42nd Virginia, the “Dixie Greys”
MSS 14953
[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond of Cutshaw’s Battery]
Sunday 26
I went 4 miles in
the country with the
wagon after corn.
rained all day
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Wesley A. Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virginia “Dixie Greys”
Sunday 26. – Spent the day at Mr.
Neff’s. Much pleased at the good things
they had to eat and of course gratified
my craving desire appetite for such things.
Treated nice very kindly – Wrote to N. R.
Smith – Day rainy and cold.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
